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Canyon College

online Modern Theology course at Canyon College

COURSE SYLLABUS: MODERN THEOLOGY

Course Title: Modern Theology - TH590
Department: Master of Theology
Instructor: Gerald FitzGerald, BD, MDiv, DMin, Phd Theology CandidateE-Mail -- Vita
Prerequisites: None

PURPOSE OF THE COURSE
This is a survey course of those topics and theologians who have made up the terrain of that exciting world called Modern Theology. It is hoped that this course will be taken last in the student's degree plan so that the student will appreciate fully the readings to be encountered here and so that the student will end his/her studies here with an eager appetite for further readings of at least one theologian presented in this course.

DOCTRINAL STATEMENT
Canyon College is a non-sectarian, non-denominational school committed to the study of God in all the richness and diversity of God's revelations to humanity and an exploration of what those revelations mean to the everyday lives of finite human beings. Canyon College does not advocate any particular belief, creed, doctrine or idea other than the reality of God and does not require that its students and faculty subscribe to any particular belief, creed, doctrine or idea other than a willingness to be challenged and a commitment to an investigation into truth and the pursuit of academic honesty and excellence.

REQUIREMENTS
1. Readings. The required text is: Online Bookstore
The Modern Theologians: An Introduction to Christian Theology in the Twentieth Century, 2nd edition, soft-cover, edited by David F. Ford. Blackwell Publishers, 1996/1997. ISBN: 0631195920
2. Conferences. Students may schedule up to two Internet Conferences with the professor by sending an e-mail to the professor with a proposed date and time and the reason for the conference. Of course, students may ask questions of the professor at any time by sending an E-mail to the address at the link above or by posting them to the message board.

3. Exams. There will be two exams: a mid-term examination which must be taken by the end of the third week and a comprehensive final examination which must be taken by the end of the sixth week. The exams will cover the assigned readings.

4. Papers. There will be a short paper of no less than two single-spaced pages or 1,250 words, due at the end of each week's readings, except weeks three and six, in which students will answer the discussion questions and give a reaction to their readings. These papers are to be e-mailed to the professor. Those who do not feel comfortable with e-mailing the papers can contact the professor for a mailing address. The papers should conform to the latest edition of Kate L. Turabian's, A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations.

5. Grades. Course work will be weighted as follows:
Papers 30%
Midterm Exam 30%
Final Exam 40%

6. Grading Scale.
90-100% A - Excellent
80-89% B - Above Average
70-79% C - Average
60-69% D - Below Average
59% or below F - Failing Grade

A = Clearly stands out as excellent performance. Has unusually sharp insight into material and initiates thoughtful questions. Sees many sides of an issue. Articulates well and writes logically and clearly. Integrates ideas previously learned from this and other disciplines. Anticipates next steps in progression of ideas.

B = Grasps subject matter at a level considered to be good to very good. Is an active listener and participant in chats, message boards, e-mails and conferences. Speaks and writes well. Accomplishes more than the minimum requirements. Work is of high quality.

C = Demonstrates a satisfactory comprehension of the subject matter. Accomplishes only the minimum requirements, and displays little or no initiative. Communicates at an acceptable level for a college student. Has a generally acceptable understanding of all basic concepts.

D = Quality and quantity of work is below average and barely acceptable.

F = Quality and quantity of work is unacceptable.


WEEK 1

Read pages 1-87.

Discussion Questions:
  1. Which of the theologians in this week's readings do you feel most comfortable with? Least? Why?
  2. Give a one sentence summary of each of the theologians' view of God.

WEEK 2

Read pages 103-133; 162-178; and 179-224.

Discussion Questions:
  1. Which of the theologians in this week's readings do you feel most comfortable with? Least? Why?
  2. Give a one sentence summary of each of the theologians' view of God.

WEEK 3

Read pages 307-404.

PLEASE COMPLETE THE MID-TERM EXAM BY THE END OF THIS WEEK.


WEEK 4

Read pages 405-514.

Discussion Questions:
  1. Write no more than a three-sentence summary of each of the theologies you read this week.
  2. Give a one statement summary of what each theology had to say about God.

WEEK 5

Read pages 515-554; 585-644.

Discussion Questions:
  1. What do your readings for this week add to your understanding of God?
  2. What do this week's readings add to your approach to theology?
  3. What is your definition of theology? Modern theology?

WEEK 6

Read pages 645-728.

REMINDER: THE FINAL EXAM MUST BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF THIS WEEK.